Man with a dha ?

Mark · 16th October 2006, 10:43 PM

I think it is depicting a Burman, though by whom it was drawn is another question. The length of the handle and shape of the pommel do suggest Thai (specifically, Rattanakosin Period), but the lacquered or dark wood scabbard with metal bands suggests more a Tai Shan style. Maybe the guy just happened to be holding a Thai daab he picked up after a battle?

The sword is fairly simplified and a bit stylized, so I think, overall, it is supposed to be a Burman and the sword handle is just artistic interpretation.

Here is my miniature (marionette) version of the same guy:

cozun · 29th October 2006, 06:45 PM

To my opinion, although very curved on the illustration, the handle and scabbard look more Khmer/Cambodian in style to my eyes.

It's just a thought, an indication, of course I might be wrong.

Serge.

Ian · 29th October 2006, 06:57 PM

I've refrained from responding to this thread for some time because I really have nothing definite to say. The dress of the warrior looks Burmese but the dha does not, at least not a typical Burmese sword that we associate with the 19th C.

The long curved handle suggests a Thai darb of roughly the 19th C. (Rattanakosin period), but Cambodian is also a possibility although it does not strike me as particularly Cambodian either given the apparent overall curvature of hilt and blade.

Perhaps there has been a certain amount of artistic license in depicting the man and his sword, or perhaps it was not painted from life but from a picture of the man and a sword inserted that happened to be around. Not the first time that occurred.

Enigmatic little portrait.

Ian.

~Alaung_Hpaya~ · 2nd March 2007, 04:49 PM

Hi all,

Here's a similar military gown courtesy of the Myanmar Ministry of Culture

RhysMichael · 2nd March 2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Alaung_Hpaya~

Hi all,

Here's a similar military gown courtesy of the Myanmar Ministry of Culture

Thats a great example of one thanks for posting this and welcome to the forum

Mark · 5th March 2007, 05:59 PM

Welcome to the forum. That is a very nice example, indeed. Would you happen to be Myanma yourself? We have sorely felt the lack of anyone who can translate Myanma text, and might have some knowledge or contacts for dha-related information.

~Alaung_Hpaya~ · 9th March 2007, 01:11 PM

Hi,

I can see why collecting dha can be addictive . I might start one day ,finances permitting .

Yes I am Bama ( culturally - ethnically a hotch potch ) and named after U Aung Zeya hence the username. I've grown up abroad so my ability to read even comtemporary Burmese is poor but my ability to read Pali is non existent . I'll try to help if I can with any translations.

Myanmar has always been the written name with Bama being the spoken form . ( except these days I hear lots of young people who grew up after the "change" of name who refer to themselves as Myanmar )

I can see the reasons for wanting a non-ethnocentric umbrella term like British but as the junta has no legitamacy people resent anything that they do .

That aside ...

Back to topic - The fighting dha lwe is often called Hnget Kyi Taung Dha ( meaning lit. Bird Large Feather Dha ) and one is owned by practically every family in rural areas and by many in the cities .

Many came out from under beds and floor boards during the 1988 uprisings.

Here's another drawing from Journal of a residence in the Burmham empire, and more particularly at the court of Amarapoorah 1821 showing a trooper - its that a horn or a dha ? Seems highly disproportioned if it's meant to be the latter .

16th October 2006, 10:43 PM	#1
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I think it is depicting a Burman, though by whom it was drawn is another question. The length of the handle and shape of the pommel do suggest Thai (specifically, Rattanakosin Period), but the lacquered or dark wood scabbard with metal bands suggests more a Tai Shan style. Maybe the guy just happened to be holding a Thai daab he picked up after a battle? The sword is fairly simplified and a bit stylized, so I think, overall, it is supposed to be a Burman and the sword handle is just artistic interpretation. Here is my miniature (marionette) version of the same guy: Last edited by Mark; 5th March 2007 at 05:57 PM.

29th October 2006, 06:45 PM	#2
cozun Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ayutthaya - Thailand - most of the time that is. Posts: 7	May be from another country To my opinion, although very curved on the illustration, the handle and scabbard look more Khmer/Cambodian in style to my eyes. It's just a thought, an indication, of course I might be wrong. Serge.

29th October 2006, 06:57 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,470	Don't know ... I've refrained from responding to this thread for some time because I really have nothing definite to say. The dress of the warrior looks Burmese but the dha does not, at least not a typical Burmese sword that we associate with the 19th C. The long curved handle suggests a Thai darb of roughly the 19th C. (Rattanakosin period), but Cambodian is also a possibility although it does not strike me as particularly Cambodian either given the apparent overall curvature of hilt and blade. Perhaps there has been a certain amount of artistic license in depicting the man and his sword, or perhaps it was not painted from life but from a picture of the man and a sword inserted that happened to be around. Not the first time that occurred. Enigmatic little portrait. Ian.

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2nd March 2007, 04:49 PM	#4
~Alaung_Hpaya~ Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 65	Hi all, Here's a similar military gown courtesy of the Myanmar Ministry of Culture

5th March 2007, 05:59 PM	#6
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Welcome to the forum. That is a very nice example, indeed. Would you happen to be Myanma yourself? We have sorely felt the lack of anyone who can translate Myanma text, and might have some knowledge or contacts for dha-related information.

9th March 2007, 01:11 PM	#7
~Alaung_Hpaya~ Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 65	Hi, I can see why collecting dha can be addictive . I might start one day ,finances permitting . Yes I am Bama ( culturally - ethnically a hotch potch ) and named after U Aung Zeya hence the username. I've grown up abroad so my ability to read even comtemporary Burmese is poor but my ability to read Pali is non existent . I'll try to help if I can with any translations. Myanmar has always been the written name with Bama being the spoken form . ( except these days I hear lots of young people who grew up after the "change" of name who refer to themselves as Myanmar ) I can see the reasons for wanting a non-ethnocentric umbrella term like British but as the junta has no legitamacy people resent anything that they do . That aside ... Back to topic - The fighting dha lwe is often called Hnget Kyi Taung Dha ( meaning lit. Bird Large Feather Dha ) and one is owned by practically every family in rural areas and by many in the cities . Many came out from under beds and floor boards during the 1988 uprisings. Here's another drawing from Journal of a residence in the Burmham empire, and more particularly at the court of Amarapoorah 1821 showing a trooper - its that a horn or a dha ? Seems highly disproportioned if it's meant to be the latter .